Raducanu could “barely breathe” during stalking ordeal in Dubai
The Briton will compete in Indian Wells this week in her first appearance since the incident in Dubai
Emma Raducanu Indian Wells 2023 Icon SMI / Panoramic
Emma Raducanu has spoken out about the trauma of her recent ordeal with a stalker in Dubai for the first time.
Ahead of the WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells this week, the Briton told reporters that she “couldn’t see the ball through tears” in her first-round loss to Karolina Muchova during which a man who exhibited fixated behaviour was spotted by Raducanu in the crowd.
“I saw him in the first game of the match and I was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to finish’,” Raducanu said.
“I literally couldn’t see the ball through tears. I could barely breathe. I was like, ‘I need to just take a breather’.”
Raducanu flew back to the UK after the incident and took a week off to recover, before weighing up whether or not she would fly out to the prestigious first leg of the ‘Sunshine Double’ at Indian Wells.
It was a decision that the Briton has said she is glad she took, as she has felt happier than expected to be back in the Californian desert surrounded by her peers.
“They were very emotional weeks, because it had carried on for a few weeks before,” Raducanu explained.
“It was quite tiring. I took a week break when I got home in England and I then decided to come here.
“Since being here in this environment, which is one of my favourite tournaments, I have felt a lot better.
“The allure of Indian Wells was a big part of me coming. I wasn’t sure if I was going to come and compete so soon.
“I just wanted to make sure I was ready but since coming here I have surprised myself with how happy I feel here.”
Raducanu will take on Moyuka Uchijima of Japan in her first-round match, with a potential blockbuster match-up against 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff awaiting in round two.
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